Fleet Foxes
Live On Boston Harbor


5.0
classic

Review

by Sowing STAFF
June 30th, 2024 | 28 replies


Release Date: 06/28/2024 | Tracklist

Review Summary: I'll get back to you someday soon, you will see...

In assessing the 2010s as a decade, it's difficult to think of a folk act that enjoyed as much success or carried as much influence as Fleet Foxes. The band dropped one modern classic after another with their beautifully cavernous self-titled album, the expansively lush Helplessness Blues, the swirling progressive instrumentation and avant-garde songwriting of Crack-Up and, finally, the totally liberated melodies of Shore. We've seen quality live releases from the band before, but never anything as well-produced or wholly summative as Live On Boston Harbor. This feels like Fleet Foxes' definitive live experience – an absolutely essential addition to any longtime fan's collection.

With Live On Boston Harbor, we're treated to an immaculately produced experience. It manages to distill all the band's best live traits and bring them to the forefront of the mix, resulting in a crystal clear listen that retains that "live magic" along with all of Fleet Foxes' irresistible charm. Fans of Shore will be delighted to see that the setlist skews towards the band's most recent release early on, kicking things off with 'Wading In Waist-High Water', 'Sunblind', and 'Can I Believe You' in succession. Uwade Akhere, who performed backing vocals at times on Shore, once again joins the band on stage and uses her transcendent voice to set the scene. Pecknold sounds incredible throughout, consistently delivering his trademark blend of ruggedly melodic tunes, and rising to the occasion when it calls for it – such as that all-too-recognizable verse on 'The Shrine/An Argument' when he delivers that raspy, nearly screamed "Sunlight over me no matter what I do" and it sounds even better than it did on Helplessness Blues. The band is brimming with charisma, too – they interact with fans casually, and at one point even joking, "thank you so much for pretending to have a good time for our film" (for those not in-the-know, the video for this concert is readily available online for free). In listening to Live On Boston Harbor, you'll feel like you are standing just a few rows back from the stage.

Fleet Foxes' discography is well represented here, with songs from every LP and even some inclusions from their Sun Giant EP. There's a keen blend of deeper cuts ('Mearcstapa' and its frenzy of woodwinds/horns lands beautifully near the end of the performance's first half) and known favorites, including 'Sunblind', 'Third of May / Ōdaigahara', 'White Winter Hymnal', 'Grown Ocean', 'Going-To-The-Sun-Road', and 'Helplessness Blues'. At twenty seven songs which span just over two hours, fans of any Fleet Foxes era will walk away completely satisfied. Often, especially with recordings of lengthy sets, you can feel the energy dip at certain points within the performance – but there is no such fatigue here, as Fleet Foxes play, sing, and entertain with a sense of fervor for the entire evening. And while there may be no lowlights, there certainly are highlights. Their performance of 'Featherweight' lives up to every bit of sparkling lushness that made it one of Shore's most brilliant gems; the glowing, natural beauty of 'Going-To-Sun-Road' sounds even better with Uwade singing over live brass horns; 'For A Week Or Two' and 'It's Not My Season' sound so intimate that you can practically feel the reverberations of Robin's acoustic guitar. The absolute pinnacles of this performance, however, still come from the long-time classics. 'The Shrine/An Argument' is the best that Fleet Foxes has ever sounded, and not just for Robin's unreal vocal performance – the entire band brings the kind of passion that concert goers dream of experiencing when they head out to see their favorite band play. It's an energy that is arguably only topped one time here – when they close out the show with 'Helplessness Blues', featuring an extended outro – and draw the figurative curtains with a wave of nostalgia so intense and real that it'll knock you flat.

Live shows are often only as good as your relationship with the artist. I've attended concerts where I'm only partially familiar with the act – perhaps they were opening for the group I was really there to see, and I just knew their popular songs – and I can tell you that it doesn't hit nearly the same as having a history with the band...this tangible, emotional connection. Those who have been following Fleet Foxes on their journey since 2008 – or even 2011 when they raised the bar with Helplessness Blues – will be floored by just how beautiful of a moment Live On Boston Harbor is. Sure, it's their longest show ever and it covers a ton of ground – but you can feel the mutual love between Fleet Foxes and their audience; it's a symbiotic relationship that seems to give the band endless life. As a moment, it's pure magic – and as one of those fans who has been around since '08, I'm pretty damn grateful that Fleet Foxes were able to capture it.



s
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4.4
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Comments:Add a Comment 
Sowing
Moderator
June 30th 2024


44645 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

So, this band means an awful lot to me and I was (1) Very glad to see this show (which I've been streaming on YT for some time) get an official release, and (2) All too happy to have it land on review #650, which is a milestone that is just absurd and quite frankly, a little embarrassing. Regardless, this is an essential live album if you enjoy Fleet Foxes, and is probably still worth your time even if you're just a fringe fan or unfamiliar. Thanks for the memories Fleet Foxes, and thank you Sputnik for keeping me entertained for as long as you have.

Ryus
June 30th 2024


37886 Comments


hey i was at this show

Sowing
Moderator
June 30th 2024


44645 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Incredibly jealous. I saw them on their HB tour in 2011 but never really had the chance since. They were phenomenal then, and have been in every show I've witnessed vicariously via YT since ;-)

Ryus
June 30th 2024


37886 Comments


i've seen them a couple times bc my gf is a huge fan. this show in particular was amazing, very good vibes all night but yeah they really do kill it every time

Sevengill
June 30th 2024


12576 Comments


I have a couple cassettes of these guys and I find them a pleasant change of pace, but I don't actually know one song from another yet. spinning this for a lazy summer evening mood though since it was recorded across town from me.

Kompys2000
June 30th 2024


9483 Comments


"it's difficult to think of a folk act [in the 2010s] that enjoyed as much success or carried as much influence as Fleet Foxes"

Ed Sheeran has left the chat

Sowing
Moderator
June 30th 2024


44645 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

😂

Sunnyvale
Staff Reviewer
June 30th 2024


6227 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Wasn't planning on checking this, because I find live albums, even for my favorite artists, usually inessential. However, sounds like I do need to check this after all. Thanks for the review! Love this band.

butt.
June 30th 2024


11154 Comments


I guess I should stop sleeping on this huh?

Sowing
Moderator
June 30th 2024


44645 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

@Sunny: If you're not into live albums at all then I don't know that this will change your mind, but considering how much you enjoy FF, it might be worth checking out some of your favorite tracks and seeing if they make you feel any particular sort of way 🤷‍♂️



@Butt: I've been watching this show on YT for a while, had no clue it was going to be released as an official live album. I'd say at least check the video and skip around a bit.

theBoneyKing
June 30th 2024


24718 Comments


Nice, my mom was at this show and considers it one of her best concert experiences ever (she swears you can hear her in the crowd on the recording). I saw the night before with nearly the same set list and indeed it was amazing. Wanted to nab the Record Store Day vinyl release of this but missed it alas.

Sowing
Moderator
June 30th 2024


44645 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

That's awesome! If she's actually audible on here, especially lol. But yeah, I'm very much a hit-or-miss listener when it comes to live albums...this is a bullseye. The last time I was this into a live album was probably Sufjan's Carrie & Lowell Live, which is another essential one.

Sevengill
June 30th 2024


12576 Comments


"she swears you can hear her in the crowd on the recording"

> "wHaT aRe YoU dRiNkiNgG??!"

Sowing
Moderator
June 30th 2024


44645 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Boney was the one who shouted "hi mom!", confirmed. ;-)

gryndstone
June 30th 2024


2849 Comments


Hm, maybe I should sit with Shore and Crack-up a bit more to appreciate this. Love hearing that this is good, especially seeing as its two hours long

Sowing
Moderator
June 30th 2024


44645 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Crack-Up is their best album. Shore is very immediate and memorable, but doesn't have the staying power of CU or HB.

Sowing
Moderator
June 30th 2024


44645 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

I saw this comment on AOTY and it cracked me up because it's basically true:



-------------------------------

this is the most gassed up crowd in the history of recorded music...



Robin: "hang on let me get some water"



200 actual people: "YEAH FUCK YEAH WATER WOOOOO I LOVE YOU ROBIN"


StormChaser
June 30th 2024


2606 Comments


I'm not a huge fan but Shore really grew on me over the last couple of years, and A Very Lonely Solstice is still one of my favorite things to listen to, so I'm stoked to see this get a Sowing 5. Will check tomorrow, super hyped

butt.
July 1st 2024


11154 Comments


There’s nothiiiiiieeeen

Christbait
July 1st 2024


744 Comments


Grown Ocean has always sounded better live. Felt too neutered on the album.



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